Fuego Returns[Beslou & Fuego only]

[manda]

Fuego trotted into Sunshine River. She breathed in the familiar scents of the world around her. She had met Beslou here and missed him fiercely. She had wandered away for a while, but she had become lost and couldn't find her way back. She was alone along the way, pregnant and alone. She finally found her way back, but she was still alone, though not for long, soon a foal would take its first few wobbly steps beside her. She was heavily pregnant now and could give birth any day, but she wanted to find Beslou first. She lifted her head and called to Beslou. "Beslou my love, I miss you terribly. I lost my way, but now I have returned carrying our foal. Please answer my call."

[Swede]

Beslou trotted forward swiftly, ears pricked. He recognized that voice... but could she really be here? Apparently, it wasn't impossible, as he burst through the thick undergrowth, standing face to face with Fuego, his lost love, the one he had presumed dead or abandoned. But he had never believed that she would leave him like that; she was fierce, and proud, but not uncaring. "Fuegp?" he said, hardly believing his own eyes. "Fuego, I... Is it really you? I thought you were dead, or something of the sort..." He paused, swallowing, then dashed forward, running his muzzle along hers, confirming by scent that it really was her. "I've missed you, so much..."

[manda]

Fuego smiled when Beslou came through the undergrowth. Tears of joy came to her eyes at the sight of her love and the father of her unborn foal. She ran her muzzle along his and down his neck and back. She took in his scent and looked over his whole body. When she sniffed him she took in not only his scent, but the scent of another mare other than herself. She stood back a bit, but soon dismissed the thought of another mare and stood with her buldging side against Beslou's. "I-I'm so sorry for leaving, b-but I got lost. I hope that you can forgive me and we can live together again. Soon our foal will be born and we can take care of it." Fuego shook her long mane out of her eyes and smiled at Beslou.

[Swede]

He shook his head furiously. "Fuego, there was nothing to forgive. If anything, I should ask your forgiveness. When I went back to find you, and you weren't there... I should have looked harder, never rested until I found you. But that's not what happened. For a while, I was at a total loss of what to do. The best thing at the time seemed to be to move on, so I did. I'm not so sure that was the right choice anymore," he said, smiling ruefully. Then, hesitantly, he added, "I did find another addition to our herd, while I was looking for you... her name is Ramiera. I think you two would get along well, but I don't know for sure. I know I should have waited for confirmation that you were alive or dead, but... well, you understand I can't drive her away. Nor will I; she has done nothing wrong. If anyone has, it's me." He stopped, eyeing her warily. How would she take this? He loved her, he really did, but he loved Ramiera too. If it came to choosing one over the other, it would be an impossible choice to make. Beslou smiled, nervously, lovingly, and nudged her, adding, "But I promise you, no matter what you do, if you get furious with me or happy, I will always love you. You, and our little one." He could not imagine what it was like to be a mare. Stallions had it easy- guarding, fighting, building a strong and stable herd. Mares had to keep the herd functioning, take care of foals, and keep order. It sounded much more difficult than what he could ever do.

[manda]

Fuego nuzzled Beslou gently and lovingly. "You don't need to ask for forgiveness, it was right of you to move on. I do not expect you to drive Ramiera away, I'm sure she won't cause any trouble. Beslou, who will be lead mare? I don't expect you to give me the position after what I have done by leaving. I will understand your decision either way as long as I'm with you." Feugo nipped Beslou lovingly and smiled as the foal let out a kick. The foal would be coming any day now. She ran her muzzle down Beslou's back and waited for him to answer. While Fuego was waiting the foal gave an especially hard kick and she felt the urge to push. She dropped to her knees and began to push. After about a minute the foal began to show. She gave a few more quick pushes and a black and white colt slid out. She smiled and cleaned the foal. The foal was a bit small, but she knew it would grow to be full size. "Isn't he beautiful? I didn't expect him to come for a few days, but he is here now. What shall we name him?"

~~~

The small colt lifted his head and looked around at the world. It was so big compared to the comfort of his mother's womb. He tried to stand when Feugo urged him to stand, but he fell. He looked at Beslou and smiled. "Daddy?" He looked over to Fuego and spoke in his foal voice. "Mommy?" The colt was somewhat supprised by his voice and gave out an excited whinny. He finally gained his footing and pranced around a bit, falling down a few times. All the time he was shouting out happily. "Mommy! Daddy! Mommy! Daddy!" He was suprised by how loud his voice was.

[Swede]

Beslou smiled in relief. He was about to reply, when they were interrupted. He put his nose down to the little colt, sniffing him, eyes alight with wonder. "How about Magpie? He has similar markings, and will no doubt be just as intelligent. They're very smart birds, you know." He was glowing with pride. He- Beslou- was a father! A daddy, as this colt called him. And he had found Fuego once again. "And about Ramiera- the position is not mine to give. That would make things very chaotic, if stallions gave away lead mare positions. Imagine, the most dominant could end up below the least dominant, and it would just cause a fuss. I suppose you two will have to work it out- peaceably preferably, but do what you must." He smiled at her again. Life couldn't get any better. "And I have claimed land in the White Meadows- the fight sort of ended in a draw, and I went back to find you but you weren't there and another stallion had claimed the place."

[manda]

Fuego smiled at Beslou. "I like the name Magpie. I think it suits him well. He looks so much like you also. I'm sure he will be as charming and sweet as you when he grows up."' Fuego nuzzled Magpie and Beslou both. "I will talk to Ramiera about the position. I will make sure that it doesn't come to a fight. If she wants a fight, I will not give it to her. That would put Magpie at risk, although if she attempts to harm Magpie then I will not let her get away with that." Fuego nipped Beslou lovingly. "I've never been to White Meadows, but I am sure that it is beautiful."

~~~

Magpie smiled as his father sniffed him and snorted a light-hearted snort. He pranced around a bit and nipped his father gently. He nipped Beslou again and let out a playful whinny. "Tag! You're it." Magpie trotted a bit away from his parents, but not out of sight. He made sure that he could see them clearly, he didn't want to lose them. He pranced around and whinnied. He waited for his father to come after him and play tag with him. He was a happy young colt so far.

[Swede]

Beslou nuzzled her tenderly. "Oh, it is," he confirmed, "Much prettier than the land I was fighting the Welsh stallion for. And the grass tastes better, too. He looked up in surprise as the colt- My son, he thought happily- touched his shoulder and tooled off. In mock indignation, he called, "Not for long, I'm not! I'm coming to get you!" He broke into a rapid trot, head held at Magpie's level, and came chasing after him. "I'm going to catch you! Here I come!" He was only a couple of feet behind him now. The White Meadows had been a good choice; it would be a safe place to raise the little one.